Then She Spoke

“Lord do not hold this sin against them .” When he had said this he fell asleep.”

Forgiveness does not hurt you but unforgiving can hurt us greatly. It is a noose around our neck that continues to tighten and a weight that gets heavier the longer you hold that unforgiving in your heart. I love this verse because it says that as soon as he asks God not to hold this sin against them he falls asleep. No more pain of boulders hitting your body, bones breaking or fear. Sleep is peaceful and then waking up to the face of Jesus. Can anything be better than that. When he awoke there was such a party waiting for him. Considering how he died they were probably there to pat him on the back. But the greatest reward will come from the father who always loves to be gracious and proud of his children. Another thing that stood out to me was Paul standing by watching. When Stephen told God not to hold this against them Paul was probably the biggest instigator. He may have thought he was doing the right thing and helping God out by protecting his name but that unforgiveness was probably what helped Paul to forgive himself after he was transformed into the mighty man of God he became. If Stephen had not forgiven would Paul have gone on to write a large chunk of the Bible and bring about the saving of many lives. And even the Gentile people who wouldn’t be saved without Paul’s work and ministry. I know I am one very grateful Gentile. People don’t know why others do what they do because they have not walked in their shoes. Nobody knows the things they have faced in their lives. Hurting people tend to hurt people and holding the hurt against them only hurts you. You may lash out at them making them more miserable and less likely to ever be able to forgive themselves or think that God would ever forgive them. But the most important thing you are alive on planet earth for is to love others into the kingdom of heaven. How much harder are you making it for them by holding that grudge. Should people be cruel and hurtful? No. But oftentimes they do not understand the circumstances correctly and don’t even understand why they lash out the way they do but once it’s done it can’t be undone. I know myself I never want to do anything to hurt others but if I’m scared or misunderstood and get frustrated I can panic and fight or flight takes over and I eventually regret my behavior. God is currently working on this in me but it is very difficult for me. But Jesus told us to forgive and it is a command just like do not kill. Considering all he has forgiven me and others of without even thinking about it. I definitely need to forgive others because I wouldn’t want to be unforgiven for any of my mistakes and sins.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” Luke 15:20

We are all children of the most high God. Whether we acknowledge him or even want anything to do with him. Or even if we don’t even acknowledge that he exists. He still loves us. Even if you did not feel understood or loved by your family. Maybe you ran from them trying to find love and acceptance. That doesn’t mean that they didn’t love you. Maybe they spend every day worrying about you and hoping you come back home. It takes a mother and a father to be your parents. They loved and created you but ultimately God is your father, he is the one who gave you life. I have been reading a book about royalty, lords and dukes, kings and queens, during war times. People are normally taught to respect royalty and authority but we are all just humans. We all make mistakes and no one is more important than another. No one is more special than another . But we are also all royalty. The King of kings, Lord of lords, the most high authority of this planet is our papa and he loves us fiercely. He loves all his children equally and has told us to love others better than ourselves. He wants us to have great respect for our brothers and sisters because that is who they are really. We are all temporarily based on this planet trying to get by. We can do so much more if we just get along in unity. If we just learn to see each other through God’s eyes of love and compassion we will be so much better off. Treating others better and how you would like to be treated. We all want to be respected and loved. God has done all he can to get his kids to love each other. Now we just need to love him and thank him for that. If not he will still love us. Nothing we could do will make him love us more he already adores us. And he has time so he’ll keep waiting.

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” Psalm 34:8

“Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.” Isaiah 55:6

People can say what they will about God, but until you have see his love and goodness and faithfulness for yourself you don’t know God. You also don’t know what you’re missing. I love good food and fresh food. Fresh fruits and vegetables mixed just right together can be so amazing. I remember when I was first married my husband had a nephew that would only eat hot dogs with ketchup or peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. He was very finicky. I remember one day someone made him a grilled cheese sandwich and he was amazed that it was so good. People just don’t get what they are missing by sticking with what they have always had or done. When I moved to the nursing home they had brussel sprouts and I had never tried them and I liked them. I also found that I loved fresh spinach salad. I would probably never have tried them but they were there so I tried them and liked them. When I was a teenager my parents decided to teach me to cook. They had me put together a menu and write up a shopping list. I loved shopping for food but I often spent too much because there were so many new and exciting foods to try. I always loved to experiment with different foods that looked good. I would buy lots of fresh ingredients and try to come up with cool ways to mix them together. My niece has to eat through a feeding tube because she just can’t eat anything. I feel she is missing so much but she doesn’t know any different because that is all she’s ever had. But God made some pretty great foods and great chefs that have created some amazing dishes. It sure would be a shame to miss something. God is the same way. Every time I read his words in the Bible I learn something new. I am almost 64 and have really learned so much the last several years because I have made a point of being intentional and learning all I can about him. I pray for so many people and God answers in so many awesome ways and it really encourages me, which just makes me ask bolder prayers that also get answered. So do yourself a favor and try something new. You’ll never know just what you’re missing, without taking the risk of not preferring something, to really find something you love. The peace that God can give shouldn’t be missed out on.

Christianity is not a religion. All religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Agnosticism, Atheism, Islam, Paganism, amongst others are based on things you need to do. None have a leader that is alive and that loves their followers and will do anything to really help them in life. Christianity is a relationship with Jesus Christ who willingly came to earth as a man to show how to live a full life. He died by crucifixion but came back to life after three days and was seen in bodily form by many and there is historical proof. He wants to know us deeply. Just as in a marriage you know your spouse intimately. At first your relationship is like a father and child. One of great love and security. He takes care of your needs and loves you like you are his only child. After you get to know him better because you talk to him in prayer and read more about him in the Bible. When you really get to know him and become intimate it grows like a marriage.When you are married it is for better or worse and you are still married even if you don’t do everything they ask. You are accepted completely up front. They may have things they prefer a certain way but they accept who you are because they already love you. You don’t realize how much you need Jesus until one day you realize you could never live without him and one day you will get to be with him forever in paradise which is perfect. You do the things he asks because you trust him and love him so much that you desire to see him smile at you. You don’t wish to do anything that would hurt him. You see all the wonderful things he has given you and he does for you every day. Simple things like the sun coming up in the morning to a friend healed of cancer. You become so thankful and grateful and you are so blessed every day. There is a peace that comes from intimacy that the world could never give. And you know every breath is a gift and one day you will breathe your last breath and be in paradise forever.

“Give us today our daily bread.” Matthew 6:11

God is our provider and he knows what we need. Not only food and water but everything. Just like the sparrow he knows we need certain things to survive and to have a good life. What ever we are concerned about he wants us to run to him. He is not only Jehovah Jirah our provider he is Jehovah Rapha our healer, Jehovah Nissi our banner and protector, Jehovah Shalom our peace, and Jehovah Roha our good shepherd. We may want certain things and God is not a genie just waiting to jump at every request. But he does bless those that are grateful, thankful and whom seek after him with their whole hearts doing what he asks of us in his words. He knows our hearts and our anxious thoughts but he still wants to hear from us. He doesn’t always answer the way we think. His ways are always so much better than ours. Because he knows the beginning from the end. The complete picture and he knows just what will work for each person he creates. He even gives some trials to help us grow stronger. But he will never let you suffer for no good reason and only as long as it takes to accomplish his purposes. But he is there to comfort and help you through hard times. He will give you strength. People we love will all die one day but it can be very hard to let them go. But when you know the Lord it is a blessing to go home to be with God in paradise forever with no more pain or suffering. We can be forever with our loved ones once we get home. I know so many people that have died and are rejoicing in heaven right now and I can’t wait to join them for a great reunion someday soon. I know that I could never make it through this life without my Savior. He is everything to me and his presence is so precious to me. I can’t wait to wake up each morning and say good morning Lord. I like knowing the King of kings is for me and will never leave me or forsake me.

“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5

Jesus precious Jesus! Why would the Kings royal son want to give everything he had up to help us helpless wretches. From the beginning of time we have been a mess. Sinners with no good in us. God may have loved what he created but when he decided to give us the free will to choose our own minds it all went downhill. We can’t think for ourselves. We don’t have the capability for it. Things we think are important are so silly. I listened to someone this morning describe how we have come to believe that the only reality now days is how we feel about things. There is no real truth but only that truth which we choose to believe. If we believe we are good, or if we believe we are male or female or whatever, that’s up to us. He sees us as very valuable. Each of us he loves so very much and he wants us to love with the same fervor and respect that he has. He has given up his very life so that we can willingly destroy ours with selfish desires that will most likely destroy us and those around us. God’s truth is the only real truth because before he created everything there was no truth or anything. We have learned a lot about this earth we live in. There are laws of physics that exist that make the world go round and they will always be constant. Rules can be made as we go along but we can’t know if they are correct or not because we don’t have all the answers. We have to assume many things and assumptions can be wrong. And usually are in many situations. Have you ever tried to think what someone else is thinking? There is a million to one chance of being right. But God can know for certain exactly what people think every minute and he still loves them. That is pure love. He wants everyone to accept his free gift of forgiveness so that they can have a good and wonderful life no matter what they have done or thought. Just think of some of the most horrible things people have done and said that you know personally. You can’t comprehend the way some minds think. I mean some people seam easy to forgive but still we can’t forgive sometimes because our minds keep remembering. We relive the hurts over and over. We need to get to know God’s word and his truth. The more we know it the better our relationship with him will be. We need to live by his truth if we want a good life. He does know what works best for us.

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants.” Psalm 116:15

What a wonderful thought. God is excited for the day we will be together with him in paradise forever. Ever since Adam and Eve ate the apple in the garden of Eden the world has been anything but perfect. We have to put up with trials, problems and death. We have come to fear death but it is just our destiny. God brings some home early just so they miss out on so much suffering and problems. To be in a perfect place where there is only peace and perfection forever. So many people I love have left this life and are now gazing into the face of God. One day we will be reunited with them for eternity. If you do not know the joy of knowing the Lord you have reason to be afraid of death. Because unless you know the love and forgiveness of the Lord you will be separated from all that is good forevermore. Never to have a good day again for eternity.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17

God loves every person he has ever made so much and he wants you. All he wants is for you to say I’m sorry, please forgive me for my sins. And he promises to forgive any sin, no matter how bad. And you can be with him forever. I get excited thinking about it. He has told us that no mind can imagine all that he has for us. Even though some people have almost died and visited heaven they only got a glimpse of all it has to offer. It is going to take forever just to discover it all. That’s exciting! But you have to have received your ticket before you die. The forgiveness of your sins because everyone has sinned. No matter how devout or good you think you are it will never be enough for a righteous and Holy God. I don’t want to miss all he has for me.

“Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies it produces many seeds.” John 12:24

What farmers finally realized is that if they hold onto seeds they will rot and die. You have to sow that seed into the ground and trust that it will reap a harvest. There needs to be the right conditions for it to grow. The sun needs to shine on it. It needs to rain so it is watered. The soil needs to be prepared ahead of time to give the seed nutrients to grow. Just like that seed, if we want to grow in our lives the way God wants us to grow, we need to die to some things. Die to our desires and wants. Our hearts need to be prepared to receive the knowledge God wants us to learn. The son shines down on us and he has already done the difficult work. But he is still interceding for us all the time. The Holy Spirit comes along side of us giving us knowledge, power, strength, comfort, counsel, guidance and anointing. We still need to do our part. Read the Bible, pray, fellowship with other believers, attend church regularly, and to praise and worship God. It also helps to be truly grateful and thankful for all that we have been freely given. But you need to deny yourself. Sinful desires from your past life will damage the seed growing inside of you. You need to follow the commandments of God in his word. You need to learn to speak differently. With respect and love, and letting no unhealthy word come out of your mouth. The Holy Spirit has come to dwell in us and we are no longer our own. We are the temple of God. This is an amazing and beautiful temple. He is not with us for a week or two, he intends to never leave, ever. Everything you do and everywhere you go he is with you. People like to think they can act however they like, it’s their life. Who is it hurting? Well it’s hurting and grieving the Spirit. And every time you sin it’s like slapping Christ in the face and asking him to die all over again. We need to be the bigger man, so to speak, and admit when we are wrong and turn from our wicked behavior.

“Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.” Psalm 5:12

The world is full of wonders, so many that we will never discover them all. The world is a very amazing and varied place. How could anyone think that it just evolved from nothing? People know that there is someone bigger and greater than themselves. They may not want to think about it. Someone that might control them and make them do things against their wishes. We all want a great life. We think we know what will make us happy. But by not investigating the possibilities you are missing out on some pretty amazing and wonderful things. The God of this universe is a very loving God and he wants what is best for each of us. We are his children and as a father he wants to bless and protect his children. I don’t know this just because I’ve read his words. But there is proof all around if you know what you’re looking for. We are all sinners, nobody is perfect, but God. We don’t deserve his love but he still loves us. Because he created love. There is evil in this world and it’s always lurking around. I, on the other hand, want this advantage he’s offering. He offers so many gifts and perks for coming to him for forgiveness and living for him. Jesus, his son, came to earth to show us how to live and have an abundant life. He willingly died so you could live forever with him. But you have to believe he died for you too, even if you have done some things that you think he could never forgive. There is nothing he won’t forgive. And when he does he forgets them never to bring them up, period. Then he gives the first of many gifts, the Holy Spirit. He will teach you, guide you, comfort you, and strengthen you for everything you need to do. He gives you grace and mercy enough for every day. He shows favor to you and all the great things he has for you and when you mess up, and you will, he forgives you all over again. The more you get to know him, he gives fruit to help you grow more like himself. Love, joy, peace, patience, endurance, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, and self -control. His joy is not like anything you have ever known. You can have joy when things are rough and problems come because you know that he is always in control and always wants your best. You really want to look into this further because you don’t have forever and you don’t want to wait too long because his offer is no good once you die. You never know when that might be. You do not want to miss all he has for you either.